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Unexpected post-settlement freshening and increase in charophytes in Bombah Broadwater (Myall Lakes, New South Wales, Australia)

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Abstract

Bombah Broadwater is a shallow coastal lake within the Ramsar-listed Myall Lakes system on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Increased nutrient and sediment loads resulting from catchment modification are thought to have instigated the loss of aquatic plants in the lake, causing it to “switch” from a clear, macrophyte dominated system (similar to the conditions in present day Myall Lake) to a turbid, phytoplankton dominated system. To assess this hypothesis, charophytes, foraminifera and aquatic fauna remains from an 800 year sediment record were examined. The sediment chronology was established using 14C, 210Pb and 137Cs radiometric dating and sediment composition. Interestingly, a clear increase in charophytes since European arrival conflicted with the hypothesised aquatic plant loss. Hence, it appears Bombah Broadwater has not undergone a change in stable state since European arrival. An additional and unexpected finding in the patterns of the foraminifera and testate amoeba suggest that Bombah Broadwater has freshened substantially since European arrival. This freshening may have resulted from increased catchment run off as a result of the clearance of catchment vegetation. Since catchment vegetation clearance is widespread in Australia, this finding raises the possibility that post-settlement freshening of coastal lakes may be a common occurrence.

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Acknowledgments

Angus and Abby MacGregor assisted with field work. Dr. Lee Bowling NSW Department of Climate Change, originally suggested this project. Professors Martin Williams, University of Adelaide, and Dan Charman, University of Exeter, assisted with sediment characterisation and identification of Difflugia oblonga, respectively. Christine Crothers drew Fig. 1. The manuscript benefitted substantially from comments by Dr. Carl Sayer and an anonymous referee.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geography, Environment and Population, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Emily Leyden & John Tibby

  2. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    Adriana García

  3. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia

    Atun Zawadzki

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  1. Emily Leyden
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  2. John Tibby
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Correspondence to Emily Leyden.

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Leyden, E., Tibby, J., García, A. et al. Unexpected post-settlement freshening and increase in charophytes in Bombah Broadwater (Myall Lakes, New South Wales, Australia). J Paleolimnol 46, 637–647 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-011-9566-1

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